Vail Daily column: What do new tax laws mean to you?

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As you know, the U.S. Congress has adopted some measures to help avoid the much-feared "fiscal cliff." At this point, important spending decisions have been put off, but new tax laws are in place - and, as an investor, you'll want to know just how this legislation will affect you.

Let's look at the impact of the tax laws on three different income levels:

• Up to $200,000/$250,000 - If you earn less than $200,000 (if you're single) or $250,000 (if you're married and file jointly), your income tax bracket will not change, nor will the tax rates assessed on dividends you receive from stocks or long-term capital gains you receive from selling investments that have appreciated in value. However, a 3.8 percent Medicare tax will apply to the lesser of your net investment income or your modified adjusted gross income in excess of the $200,000 or $250,000 levels, respectively.

• $250,000-$400,000 - If your adjusted gross income is at or more than $250,000 (for single filers) or $300,000 (for married couples), your itemized deductions will begin to phase out, as will your personal exemption deductions, possibly resulting in higher effective tax rates. And the 3.8 percent Medicare tax will apply to part, or all, of your investment income. But your tax bracket stays the same, as do the tax rates on dividends and capital gains.

• $400,000/$450,000 - If you earn at least $400,000 (if you're single) or $450,000 (if you're married), you will be subject to the phase-out of deductions described above. More importantly, however, your marginal tax rate will rise from 35 to 39.6 percent. Plus, taxes on qualified dividends and long-term capital gains will rise from 15 to 20 percent - or, actually, 23.8 percent, when the 3.8 percent Medicare tax is added in. Consequently, you may have some decisions to make; at a minimum, you'll need to know how the new rates might - or might not - affect your investment choices. For example, if you rely on bonds to provide a source of income, be aware that your interest payments - taxed at your marginal tax rate - will now be taxed more heavily. As for capital gains, the slightly higher rates now give you even more incentive to be a "buy-and-hold" investor, which is usually a good strategy for most people. And the increase in dividend taxes doesn't detract from the key benefit of dividends - namely the ability to provide a potential source of rising income that can help keep you ahead of inflation. Keep in mind that dividends can be increased, decreased or eliminated at anytime without notice.

Overall, the changes in investment-related taxes are probably less substantial than many people had anticipated. And in any case, taxes are but a single component of investment decisions - and usually not the most important one. Rather than let taxes drive your investment choices, focus instead on whether a particular investment is appropriate for your individual situation, and if it fits your risk tolerance, and if it helps you diversify your portfolio. Diversification can help you reduce the effects of market volatility, though it can't guarantee profits or protect against loss.

Still, the new tax legislation is significant, so you should consult with your financial advisor and tax professional to determine what moves, if any, you may want to make. It's always wise to be up-to-date on what's happening in Washington - especially when lawmakers' decisions can affect your ability to achieve your important financial goals.

This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones financial adviser. Edward Jones and its associates and financial advisers do not provide tax or legal advice. Tina DeWitt, Charlie Wick and Kevin Brubeck are financial advisers with Edward Jones Investments. They can be reached in Edwards at 970-926-1728 or in Eagle at 970-328-4959 or 970-328-0361.